Seattle Archdiocese settles: More can be done by the church to prevent abuse

I celebrate the 30 brave men who remained steadfast in their efforts to hold the Archdiocese of Seattle accountable [“Seattle Archdiocese settles abuse lawsuits for $12 million,” Local News, June 24]. Ten years is a very long time to fight for justice and resolution.

It’s a shame that the church hangs on to the bitter end to avoid embarrassment and its own shame over not having done anything sooner to prevent many priests’ from repeated offenses against children. That said, I am pleased that Archbishop J. Peter Sartain has invited victims of priest abuse to come forward. That shows good faith on his part.

Still, he can do more. Sartain could post the names of credibly accused clerics in church bulletins and visit parishes of known predators encouraging witnesses and victims to come forward and report to police. This would be a good action on the archbishop’s part because the church community wants to heal and do what it can to never, ever let another child or youth be harmed by the priests they trust and respect and look to for guidance. Then, real healing can begin.

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